Open Thread Question of the Day: Is the Bears’ Head Coach Search Too Extensive?

Critiqued by many, the Chicago Bears list of potential head coach candidates continues to grow. When is enough, enough?

Good franchises get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to personnel decisions, coaching hires, etc.

The Chicago Bears are not (currently) a good franchise. Thus, we should not expect for them to get the benefit of the doubt with any such decisions.

As of this writing, the Bears have already met with 12 candidates for their Head Coaching Job, with 2 more on the schedule for this weekend and another 5 or so yet to be scheduled.

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Have they outkicked their coverage?

If you listen to the national media and even some sources throughout the league, the answer to that question would be a resounding “Yes!” Hat tip to our own Bill Zimmerman for gathering some sources to confirm such opinions.

But I propose we take a different approach.

Having spent nearly 10 years in the staffing industry and having been a part of countless C-suite interviews, offers, negotiations and lasting business relationships, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that there is enormous value in gleaning as much as you possibly can throughout the interview and relationship building process.

In the case of the Bears, at least 6 of their potential candidates are currently in the playoffs and unable to interview.

This matters.

Talk to every Bears fan that you know, and you will quickly learn who the favorite is to become next head coach of the leagues most storied franchise. Lions’ Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson. Heck, even our own WCG staff was unanimous here.

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Though he has already met with Ryan Poles, Kevin Warren, et al. virtually, Ben won’t be able to meet in person until after the divisional round this weekend, at the earliest. The same could be said with any coach of a playoff team. So why are so many questioning the Bears process?

While the Las Vegas Raiders and Tom Brady are gaining steam as front-runner to land Johnson, the Vegas odds-makers currently have the Bears leading the way with –250 -200 odds. That will likely continue to fluctuate, but an interesting development, indeed.

In the end, I do NOT feel the Bears have mishandled this coaching search (yet) and applaud them for gathering more info. Each of these candidates possesses more current football knowledge than any and everyone coming out with reports on the matter so it makes complete sense to pick their brains and collect insight. Insight into how others lead a team, how to best install a run game, how to manage a young QB, how to hire a staff and create a sustainable culture, etc. Do not be surprised if some of these names come back up in the future for different coaching positions within the franchise.

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Stay tuned for more info regarding the WCG staff preferences and don’t forget to bookmark the tracker to keep abreast on all the news coming out regarding the Bears head coaching search. It will surely be a wild ride!

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What about you? Do you think the Bears search has been too extensive? Sound off in the comments below!